San Francisco is one of the top travel destinations in the United States. People of all ages and fitness levels can experience the city in a variety of active ways. The temperate climate in San Francisco makes it easy to find outdoor activities all year long. Some stretches in the winter can be rainy, and often the winds coming in from the Pacific can be chilly, so always remember to carry extra layers of clothes when taking in outside activities around San Francisco Bay.
Golden Gate Park
Numerous walking trails and roadways traverse the thousand acres of Golden Gate Park, San Francisco's premiere urban park. You can rent bikes or skates in the nearby Haight Ashbury neighborhood on the park's western boarder. While you are in the Haight area, there are plenty of shops teens might want to explore. Inside the park are several attractions for teens and families, all connected by both roads and pedestrian pathways. Check out the California Academy of Sciences, a popular museum with families, and the nearby art museum, the DeYoung. The park also houses the San Francisco Botanical Garden and the Japanese Tea Garden, all accessible by walking trails. Don't miss the bison reserve on the western side of the park, where a herd of bison roams across a large, fenced grove.
North Beach and Coit Tower
Built on over 40 hills, San Francisco offers numerous urban hikes for families. Seeing the city on foot rather than on a tour makes the experience more personal, and keeps you moving rather than sitting. Start by grabbing a bite in one of the many Italian restaurants in San Francisco's version of Little Italy, North Beach. Work off your meal by going up one of the steepest hills in town, Telegraph Hill, to see the incredible views and the iconic Coit Tower. The walk up Telegraph Hill is so steep that stairs replace the sidewalk at a certain point. Start your climb at the base of Filbert Street and follow the signs to Coit Tower.
The Golden Gate
Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on foot or by bicycle is a unique experience many teens never forget. The view of the bay and San Francisco from the bridge is unlike any other, and being on the bridge gives teens a real idea of the massiveness of the bridge. Pedestrians walk on the east side of the bridge and cyclists ride on the west. Note that the traffic on the cycling side of the bridge often moves at a quick pace and isn't as accommodating as on the pedestrian side. To get to the bridge, start from the visitors' center of the Golden Gate Recreation Area.
The Marina and Presidio
The Marina neighborhood offers numerous shops for teens and numerous dining options for families. Start your day in the Marina shopping and eating on Chesnut Street. Continue by walking a few blocks to the Marina Green, one of the city's most popular jogging, cycling and strolling areas. Follow the path on the Green into the Presidio, a historic former military base. The path connects to the Golden Gate Promenade across the shoreline of the bay in the Presidio. There you can find Crissy Field, a great place for flying kites; the Palace of the Fine Arts, the renovated entryway from the 1915 World's Fair; and the Exploratorium, a completely hands-on science museum. Check out the Tactile Dome in the Exploratorium for an unforgettable experience, or hike one of the numerous uphill trails of the Presidio.
The Zoo and Ocean Beach
In the southwestern corner of the city, you will find the San Francisco Zoo, home to 260 species of animals. The zoo is open daily, but keeps winter hours and summer hours, so be sure to check before making your plan. The Zoo is located along The Great Highway, which runs along the Pacific Coast. After your visit to the zoo, take your teen to Ocean Beach, the city's largest beach. Play Frisbee, fly a kite, stroll on the shore and plan for a perfect, Pacific Ocean sunset from Ocean Beach.
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